Padres agree to terms with Luebke on contract extension

PEORIA, Ariz. – The San Diego Padres today announced that they have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Cory Luebke on a contract through the 2015 season with club options for 2016 and 2017. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.

PEORIA, Ariz. – The San Diego Padres today announced that they have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Cory Luebke on a contract through the 2015 season with club options for 2016 and 2017. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.

“Cory is a talented, athletic pitcher,” Byrnes said. “He is a high-character player who continues to improve. We feel that he is well-positioned to build on his 2011 success.”

Luebke, 27, had a breakout year in 2011 after making his first Opening Day roster. The lefty began the season in the bullpen, making 29 relief appearances before pitching his way into the starting rotation. He finished with a 6-10 record along with a 3.29 ERA (51 ER/139.2 IP), averaging 9.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched with 154 on the season. Luebke went 1-2 with a 3.23 ERA (14 ER/39.0 IP) as a reliever and 5-8 with a 3.31 ERA (37 ER/100.2 IP). His 154 strikeouts were the second-most ever by a Padres rookie.

Originally signed by the Padres as a supplemental-round selection (63rd overall) in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, he made his Major league debut with four appearances in 2010. Over his two seasons with Major League action, Luebke has gone 7-11 with a 3.38 ERA (59 ER/157.1 IP) and 172 strikeouts in 50 games (20 starts).